Stuffed Peppers with Lamb Herbed Rice - An Albanian Recipe".
If you love traditional Mediterranean cooking, then you must try the Albanian stuffed peppers recipe with rice and lamb. This beloved comfort food is a popular staple in Albanian cuisine that dates back generations.
I’ve always been hesitant with stuffed bell peppers. Instead, I have used many other vegetables like zucchini, eggplants, and tomatoes. But once I started making this recipe, my whole perception changed! These stuffed peppers are easy to make and tasty as well!
The typical red pepper is filled with ground beef. Albanian stuffed peppers may also use lamb and are loaded with flavor from fresh herbs. It’s a refreshing dish, and it’s very healthy! These stuffed peppers are excellent on their own or as an accompaniment to other dishes like roast chicken or mixed greens. Eating these delicious Balkan treats will transport your taste buds across the world!
Table of Contents
If you’re a fan of stuffed vegetables with rice and meat, you’ll love this Albanian recipe for Lamb Rice Stuffed Peppers. This dish is well-known worldwide, and for a good reason – it’s flavorful, hearty, and delicious. But did you know that similar dishes are also popular in other cultures? Growing up in Jordan, I enjoyed stuffed bell peppers, zucchini, eggplant, and potatoes cooked in a rich tomato sauce. Each culture has its unique take on this classic dish, and the Albanian version is no exception. With tender lamb, fragrant herbed rice, and savory spices, this recipe is a perfect example of the delicious and satisfying stuffed vegetable tradition.
Lamb Rice Stuffed Peppers: A great meal plan
Each stuffed pepper is an entire meal jam-packed inside one vegetable. There’s meat, rice, and pepper holding it all together. This dish is perfect for those who like meal prep and want a healthy and quick lunch or dinner.
If you make a bunch of stuffed peppers, you can save them throughout the week and reheat them at work or for quick meals. Stuffed peppers can be placed in the freezer if you do not plan to finish them about four to five days after making the recipe. You can freeze them and then heat them in the oven or microwave.
Does It Matter What Color Pepper You Use?
It will all come down to personal preference. It doesn’t matter which color bell pepper you use in your stuffed peppers. Red, yellow, and orange bell peppers will be sweeter, while green is more hearty and bitter. However, all of them are good options and can make a beautiful serving plate if you use every color of bell pepper.
How Long to Bake Lamb Rice Stuffed Peppers: Tips for Perfectly Cooked Peppers
Bell peppers in the United States are much bigger than the ones typically grown in Mediterranean countries. And the pepper’s size will affect the dish’s baking time. When picking out peppers, ensure you get peppers that are all relatively the same size so they all cook evenly.
It should take about 55 minutes to bake, and you will check on them halfway through to ensure they are on the right track. But if they are not soft enough, add more water to your baking dish and bake them a little longer to get the desired texture.
What To Serve With Stuffed Peppers?
There are almost endless possibilities of what to serve with stuffed peppers. As mentioned above, these go great with Perfect Roasted Chicken with Za’atar, Sumac, and Traditional Greek Salad Recipe. You can also serve them alongside potatoes, sauteed mushrooms, or Sicilian Scaccia Bread Recipe – AN Italian Bread to help you track down and soak up some food that falls out of your pepper.
Preparation
Heat olive oil in a large skillet, then sauté the onions on medium to high heat. Then add the ground beef.
Once the meat is browned, add parsley and crushed tomatoes. Add 1 cup of water and mix well—season with salt, pepper, and dry mint.
Add the rice when the mixture is boiling. Turn the heat down to medium. Mix well and let it cook for 20 minutes. You want the stuffing not to be too thick, so if more water is needed, about half a cup.
Turn the oven to 375°F. Turn the heat off on the stovetop and let the stuffing cool. At the same time, you work preparing the peppers. Cut off the top of the pepper and remove any seeds or pits inside.
When the stuffing is cool enough to handle, spoon some fillings into the peppers to fill ¾ to the top.
Arrange the peppers next to each other in a baking dish. Place the top cut piece of the peppers back on the stuffed peppers. Add one cup of water to the bottom of the baking dish and cover it with foil.
Bake for 35 minutes. Check on the peppers by removing the foil and ensuring there is still a bit of water on the bottom of the pan. Add more if evaporated, and bake uncovered for another 25 minutes. Enjoy!
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These stuffed peppers are the perfect healthy option if you’re looking to meal prep or feed the whole family for dinner! These are like a full meal inside the casing of one pepper! They are incredibly delicious and use fresh herbs. Plus, they are so filling with rice and red meat.
Ingredients:
Adjust Servings
2 tablespoons olive oil | |
1 large onion (chopped) | |
6 large bell peppers | |
1 lb. ground lamb or beef | |
4 medium size tomatoes (chopped, or 14 oz diced can tomatoes) | |
1 cup fresh parsley (chopped) | |
1 tablespoon salt | |
½ tablespoon black pepper | |
1 teaspoon dry mint | |
1 cup short grain rice (washed) | |
2 cups water + 2 extra cups water separated |
Preparation
Recipe Tips & Suggestions
Substitution suggestions:
Storage and reheating Stuffed Peppers:
Rana’s Notes!
Nutrition Information
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist's advice.
See our full nutrition disclosure here.
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